Reading

Thus Spoke Zarathustra:

The Zoroastrian Tradition from

Ancient Iran to Contemporary India

Required Texts:

Week 1 Reading:

This week's reading comes from a short Zoroastrian Middle Persian text called The Book of Advice of Zarathustra (Pand-nāmag ī Zarduxšt), which was probably composed sometime before the ninth century CE. The text encapsulates the knowledge that a Zoroastrian should have of his or her religious tradition by the age of fifteen. As such, the text serves as an epitome of the religion as it existed in that time, and brings up a number of the fundamental concepts of Zoroastrianism that we will be discussing throughout this semester. As you read the text, note the details that strike you about the text – what is familiar to you, and what strikes you as being different? Bring your questions and observations to class, as we will be discussing aspects of the text as an introduction to the Zoroastrian tradition.

In this week's readings, we survey the field of Zoroastrian studies. In the SPIRIT reading, we are introduced to a number of Zoroastrian concepts, deities, and technical terms as defined by a scholar of Iranian philology and linguistics. The INTRODUCTION reading, written by a historian of religions, also provides a general overview of the religion, connecting the living Zoroastrianism of today with the Zoroastrianism of the ancient past. How do these texts compare with one another? Can you notice any differences in the assumptions that the authors make? If so, what are these assumptions, and how might they affect the study of Zoroastrianism? In our final reading for this week, "Once upon a time, Zoroaster," Clarisse Herrenschmidt examines the history of the field of Zoroastrian Studies by looking at how different scholars have perceived the character Zarathustra. As you read the article, think about what the different schools of thought are about Zarathustra. How would you approach the figure of Zarathustra given what you know so far about the available historical sources?

Week 3: Thus Spoke Zarathustra? The Gāthās and the Historicity of the Prophet

In this week's readings, we begin to survey the Gāthās, the oldest texts of the Zoroastrian religious corpus. First, we will read translations of several key passages from the SPIRIT reading. Though it is not mandatory, I invite you to look for other translations of the Gāthās in the library and on the world wide web, and to compare them with Skjærvø's renditions. Using what you now know about the history of Zoroastrian Studies, where do you think Skjærvø positions himself within the debate about the historical Zarathustra, and how does this affect his translations? Keep these questions in mind as your read his "Literature of the Most Ancient Iranians," in which he provides an outline for his approach to the Gāthās. On Thursday, we will continue to read from the Gāthās, and through the Boyce reading, will get a very different perspective from Skjærvø. What do you make of all of this? Do you find either approach more plausible? As you do your readings, do not be put off by the apparent archaism of the Gāthās. The texts often raise questions of interpretation which even the most experienced translator is at a loss to solve, so be sure to bring your questions to class.